Oh, my gosh, Paula, that Candy Cane Lane sounds amazing. I want that! I'll have to go looking for it the next time I'm in the grocery store tea aisle!
So, it's November 3, 2005 It is such a beautiful fall day, I can't even describe it! I went for a nice long stroll with Mickey, and it gave me such a lift. I think, like Doreen, I'm "solar-powered." The walk was relaxing, but left me energized.
I'm beginning to lose track of what day I'm on in Operation Sugar Freedom--let me count for a minute. . .oh, yeah, this is the start of day #9. (Duh, I can just look back in the journal!). Already today I passed up a donut that a friend wanted to give me--nope, no more of that for me.
I was thinking this morning about going to my mom's for Thanksgiving, and what it would be like to celebrate the holiday sugar-free (no pumpkin pie!). I thought about how EVERY time we visit her, I allow myself cookies, brownies, etc. and then have to FIGHT afterwards to get myself back on track. I understand now why I couldn't go away for the weekend, allow myself the treats, and then immediately get back on program--the sugars would just take over my cravings! No, this time, I hope I can enjoy the upcoming holidays without the obsession and worry over whether or not I can control myself. With God's help, I'll meet the temptations head on and just cruise through to a peaceful, healthy place.
You know, life can be so weird. Anyone who reads my journal knows that I think and overthink things (so be warned before you read this
), but I feel like I'm at a special time in my life right now. So many things are dovetailing together--my personal work on recovery from anxiety/depression/burnout, a new eating program based on the research of Kathleen DesMaisons, and our church's study of the book, "The Purpose Driven Life." Yesterday's devotion was entitled "Transformed by Trouble" and today's is "Growing through Temptation." I think of my whole O.S.F. as a step in faith that I couldn't achieve without God's help. . .I mean, seriously--me? give up sugars, candy, etc. for a WHOLE YEAR???? I have NO IDEA how I'm going to do this, but I know that by taking things day by day and by looking Upward I'm going to get through somehow. Oh, I'm not saying I won't slip--it could certainly happen, but if I do, I'll learn from that, too. Right now--at this moment in time--I feel on solid ground. And coming from where I've been lately food-wise, well, that's a good place to be.
So friends, this is what you have to do: about a week from now, when I'm deep in the DZone and I want to eat every chocolate thing I see, would you please remind me that there IS solid ground????? rotf!
Enough deep thinking now, let's get down to brass tacks.
The day:
1. Devotions (from dailyguideposts.com)
Daily Thoughts:
A Time to Think:
At first dreams seem impossible, then improbable, then inevitable. -Christopher Reeve
To Act:
Remember that all glory comes from daring to begin.
To Pray:
Dear Lord, help me to stretch beyond what is comfortable. Help me to be my best.
2. Vitamins--check
3. Water--will drink lots
4. Exercise--walked Mickey in the sunshine for 1.25 miles. I'll do my 1.5 on the treadie later.
5. Food--will log it into Fitday. Thanks, Doreen, for the reminder that Fitday exists. It's fun to see the little pie charts!
6. Scale--day off
7. Caffeine--a.m. only
That's it for now,
Erin